Kashmir Valley under curfew, restrictions

Srinagar, July 5 (IANS) Most parts of the Kashmir Valley were Monday under curfew or strict restrictions to scuttle a separatist march to Anantnag town to protest the recent killing of three teenagers there. Police vehicles fitted with loudspeakers made announcements in various localities late Sunday, asking residents to stay indoors as curfew had been imposed in the summer capital.

Authorities moved heavy police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) reinforcements into the Old City and uptown areas early Monday to enforce curfew restrictions.

Road intersections were blocked with wire coils and barricades to halt pedestrian and vehicular movement.

“These measures have been taken to maintain law and order,” a police officer said.

The hardline separatist Hurriyat Conference headed by Syed Ali Geelani has asked people to march to Anantnag town Monday to rally against the killing of three youths in police firing last week.

Police and paramilitary troops with automatic weapons were seen patrolling the streets of the capital city in the morning.

A senior police officer said curfew had been imposed in Anantnag, Kakpora and Pulwama towns as well.

He said strict restrictions were in place in other major and minor towns of the Kashmir Valley and that security forces had been deployed in strength.

Barricades have been erected on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway to stop the marching protesters.

Authorities had imposed curfew in the city last week also to foil another separatist march to the Eidgah grounds here.

People came out of their homes in large numbers Sunday to buy essential items. Markets in Srinagar that opened after a weeklong shutdown were bustling with shoppers till Sunday evening.

At least 11 people have been killed in the Kashmir Valley in firing by security forces on stone-pelting mobs protesting against alleged human rights violations.